Resources for Active Duty Soldiers and Vets

Brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Defense Centers of Excellence: For Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. Established in 2007, the centers’ vision is to become “a trusted source and advocate for psychological health and traumatic brain injury” for the Department of Defense. Information is provided for Warriors, Families, News Media, and Health Professionals. Warrior resources include suicide prevention, traumatic brain injury, pre- and post-deployment, locating health care, guard and reserve information, and the Real Warriors Campaign. Family links include adjusting to change, taking care of yourself, supporting your service member, and helping children cope. Media resources include press releases, information sheets, and DCoE/DoD sports collaborations. The Health Professionals section includes TBI information, psychological health resources, treatment options, and tips for civilian health care professionals. Telephone (24/7), e-mail, and live chat assistance is available for those in crisis. Additional resources include Resources (after deployment, TBI, suicide prevention), Links (warriors, families, health professionals), podcasts, and videos. Access: http://www.dcoe.health.mil/default.aspx.

• Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC). DVBIC is part of the U.S. military, and the “traumatic brain injury operational component of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).” This site provides a wealth of information for the service members, veterans, family members, and the medical community. A wide variety of resources are included in the Educational Materials section; it is one of the most valuable areas in the site for information. Among the other resources are Fact Sheets, Signs and Symptoms, Taking Care of Yourself While Caring For Others, Addressing Family Needs, and Talking With Children about TBI. Research on TBI and DVBIC locations provide additional resources for users. Access: http://www.dvbic.org/.

• Make the Connection: Shared Experiences and Support for Veterans. Make the Connection is a resource that allows veterans to relate their experiences and find a variety of support services. Users are able to customize the site (sex, date, branch of service, etc.) and receive sources pertinent to their experiences. Information is available for veterans, family and friends, clinicians, and others. Stories of Connection (retirement and aging, family and relationships), Signs and Symptoms (nightmares, substance abuse), Conditions (PTSD, depression), and Resources and Support (treatment and recovery, self-help) are also available. Access: http://maketheconnection.net/.

• United States Department of Veterans Affairs: National Center for PTSD. Site provides information on PTSD for the public (family, friends, veterans) and professionals (researchers, providers). These two sections provide information on a variety of topics, including treatment programs, returning from the war zone, clinician guide, and assessment of trauma and PTSD. A section entitled About Face features veterans discussing how treatment helped them cope with PTSD. There is a division on women and PTSD, including rape, sexual assault, and traumatic stress. Access: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/.

Deployment, homecoming, and family life

• American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Coming Home: Adjustments for Military Families. Provides information on helping families adjust to life after deployment. Sections include the returning family member, the adult that stayed home, children, and the family unit. A link provides additional information on families in the military, including signs of stress in children (symptoms according to age, from birth to 18 years old), and a section on easing family stress when a parent is deployed. Access: http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/coming_home_adjustments_for_military_families.

• Commander Navy Installation Center: Fleet and Family Support Program. Provides a wealth of resources for military families. Programs include deployment readiness, personal finances, transition and relocation assistance, new parent support, life skills (anger and conflict management, new spouse orientation, suicide prevention, and stress management). Specific programs are available for families, youth, and children. This is a source geared toward the family and ensuring families have a successful and productive military life. Access: http://www.cnic.navy.mil/CNIC_HQ_Site/WhoWeAre/index.htm.

• National Military Family Association: Deployment. Deployment is the theme of this Web site. Links including preparing and managing for a successful deployment, legal and financial issues, talking with kids, child care, and coping with emergencies. Return issues are covered with links to Reunion and Back Home. The Reunion page includes links to resources for particular military divisions. Additional resources include mental health care, spouse education, and supporting children during deployment. Links to military and civilian support groups are also listed. Access: http://www.militaryfamily.org/get-info/deployment/.

Education

• VA: Welcome to the G.I. Bill. The site provides information resources available through the G.I. Bill, applying for benefits, the Post G.I. Bill and other programs, benefit and education resources, counseling for vocational and educational issues, FAQ’s, and contact information for assistance. A section on Choosing a School provides information on things to consider before making career or educational decisions. Videos tell the story of veterans from different branches of service. Access: http://gibill.va.gov/.

• Real Warriors: Five Resources for Returning to School. Provides five steps for those considering higher education. Among the five steps is Tips from Student Veterans, including a link to a Military to College Guide. The guide provides information on transitioning to a college or university, educational and employment resources, VA forms, and a veterans’ information checklist to make the transition easier. Access: http://www.realwarriors.net/veterans/treatment/studentveterans.php.

• United States Department of Education: Military Families and Veterans. One of the best sections of this site is the Resources section, containing a multitude of links for users. Information is available on Readmission Requirements for Service Members, school liaison programs with the Army, Marines, and Navy, and Support for Military Families. Other areas include Funding, Policy, and Research information. Access: http://www.ed.gov/veterans-and-military-families

Employment

• U.S. Department of Labor: Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS). The VETS program has a collection of sources to assist veterans, active duty military, and employers in locating and matching military personnel with employment. Divisions are clearly labeled for Service Members, Family and Veterans, Employers, Service Providers, and Updates. Information is provided on grants for job training, hiring fairs, grants for homeless vets, and a compensation and benefits handbook for ill, wounded, and injured service members. Access: http://www.dol.gov/vets/.

• U.S. Small Business Administration: Office of Veterans Business Development. SBA has a diverse assortment of programs available to assist veterans, reserve members of the military, family, and survivors with small businesses. The SBA provides information on starting a business, competing for grants, and hiring employees. A list of programs (Operation Boots to Business, Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship, and Operation Endure and Grow) is available. Resources include a Balancing Business and Deployment Guide and Getting Veterans Back to Business. Access: http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/1/2985.

• Turbo Tap. Org: Employment Assistance. This Department of Defense site includes a Career Decision Toolkit incorporating many components involved in developing a career, including Career Exploration, Financial Planning, Job Search, Effective Resumes and Cover Letters, and Interviewing Skills. Additional material is available on transition, from Relocation Assistance to Leaving the Service. The full transition services are available after separation from the military. Access: http://www.turbotap.org/register.tpp.